Valentine's Day

The history of Valentine’s Day is very clouded and murky. No one really knows for certain who the figure of Saint Valentine really was. However, there are many legends surrounding this man who became one of the most popular Saints. One legend is that he was a Roman priest who continued to marry young lovers who were in love even though the Emperor banned it. He was then thrown into jail and killed probably around 270 AD. While in jail, apparently he met the love of his life. This woman may or may not have been his jailor’s daughter. He wrote her a message on a small card, which he allegedly signed “From your Valentine”. This phrase is still used today on most Valentine’s Day cards. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate his death, while others think it was to Christianize the Roman holiday season of Lupercalica. Later on in the 17th century is when Britain started to popularize Valentine’s Day. At first people of all classes would exchange small tokens of love or hand written notes. By the end of the century, ready-made printed cards were developed and essentially took the place of the handwritten notes. Americans also started to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the 17th or 18th century.


Source:
"The History of Valentine's Day." The History Channel - Home Page. Web. 03 Jan. 2010. .